It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our good humor man, Ron “Honeybear” Hort, or Bear as we often called him. We will post more details as we learn them, but as of this post, the information we received was that he passed on Monday, November 11, 2013.

You can add your remembrance of Ron by posting a comment at the bottom. I (Jerry Lenz) know that Ron would want us all to celebrate with a laugh…and, if you got ’em smoke ’em! We have two recordings to share below. The Candy Floss song “Here Come Da’ Judge,” and a cover of “Treat Her Right.”

Sometimes it is hard to remember exactly how some of the members of the Nickel Revolution found us, or we found them. The core of the band remained Louie Lenz (guitar), Jerry Lenz (drums) and Scott Jeffy (bass)—that would never change. In fact, they were the members deciding when to bring the Nickel Revolution to a conclusion.

The “Honeybear” Addition

In this post we celebrate Ron “Honeybear” Hort. Without a doubt, “Bear” was the most colorful, humorous addition to The Nickel Revolution. He always—well almost always—made us laugh and certainly expanded our network of friends and followers (interesting stories about some of our “followers”). He would turn an ordinary evening into an event with his antics and would often break into his Yiddish accent.

In fact, the ONLY Candy Floss recording we are halfway proud of is the novelty song titled, Here Come Da’ Judge.

Photo of Honeybear adding the lead vocals in the studio (Jerry laughing in the background)

The story behind Here Come Da’ Judge

As mentioned in other posts, The Nickel Revolution were contractually obligated to Candy Floss Productions, a group of writers specializing in bubblegum hits. When the concept was presented to the Nickel, the band actually liked the idea of a novelty song based on the huge TV hit at the time, Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.

(The NBC program launched in January, 1968, ending in 1973.)

A popular recurring sketch was The Judge. The often-changing judge was always wearing a black robe and powdered wig. Flip Wilson is credited for introducing the sketch and announcing, “Here come de judge!” (Candy Floss flubbed the phrase in its spelling of the word, “de.”)

Others would play the judge character on Laugh-In including Sammy Davis Jr. and you can see various versions on You Tube.

After a few regular and boring takes, Honeybear brought the song to life by singing it in his Yiddish accent. The rest is history as they say and everyone in the studio was laughing out of control. It was the perfect touch for the song.

John Berman was with The Nickel Revolution for a short period of time and his sax talent is included on this “golden” recording.

The producers mixed the tune and made dubs. They immediately shopped their record label contacts offering a surefire novelty hit to the first company ready to take a risk. No deal was struck because Candy Floss did not have an original idea. There were dozens of bands racing to record a “Here come de judge!” song. One notable version was recorded by Shorty Long on Motown (hear it on You Tube).

How fitting as we celebrate Ron “Honeybear Hort.” Listening to the crazy recording of “Here Come Da’ Judge” will always be a reminder as to how much fun we had with Bear.

In addition to Louie, Jerry and Scott, here is a list of the members of The Nickel Revolution:

*Ron Hort “Honeybear” or “Bear” (keyboards)

Jeff Simon (lead guitar)

John Berman (sax)

*Kent Saunders (lead guitar)

*Keith Luer (lead guitar)

Mickey Larson (keyboards)

In Memory: Mickey Larson is the only member to graduate to Rock & Roll Heaven.

Ron “Honeybear” Hort…you will be missed and the many hours of humor will be replayed in our minds as we recall all you added to our lives.

We welcome your comments and feedback on this blog. You can post here and share this with your friends via Facebook and Twitter (see easy links). If you want to email us any questions or comments: NickelRevolution@gmail.com

Attention Musicians! We invite you to jam with us.

Bring your guitar, drum sticks, horn or hot vocals and we are providing a full backline of amps, etc. LET US KNOW so we can give you a songlist: Nickel Revolution Reunion

Please let us know which member of the band you are friends with or related to so we can note that on the guest list. If this is all new to you and you do not know someone in the band.

FOOD (Pizza) at the Reunion must be pre-ordered (otherwise it would be a staffing problem for Broadway). They are requesting a 2-week reservation for pre-ordering your pizza. So, by August 18, 2012, send an email to Louie and he will turn it in to Broadway. Email Louie for details: Louiejr@comcast.net

Very fitting to hold this event at Broadway Bar and Pizza in that Broadway Pizza was a Robbinsdale High School hangout back in the day, and unlike this band, they didn’t go out of business. The Fridley location is perfect in that they have a large dance hall with a separate entrance. Our event will not be advertised as we already have a large guest list and we want everyone attending to have a great time on the dance floor instead of standing in line and waiting for a turn on the toilet. Full bar available (not that anyone drinks in Minnesota, but if you feel like an adult beverage, you can purchase them YouBetcha!)

Special Guests

Joining The Nickel Revolution onstage will include some of our children and that will certainly be a special treat. Jordan Lenz (bass and guitar) is Jerry Lenz’s youngest son and he plays with Jerry in The Nickel Blues Band in Orlando,Florida.

Benjamin Jeffy (guitar) and Christopher Jeffy (bass) will be joining the band on stage and it promises to be a great time. We suggest you have an extra set of batteries for your camera, video, or a least charge your cell phone up before you arrive at the reunion.

Dinner before or during the reunion? You can pre-order pizza if you are arriving early. However, you MUST pre-order. Contact Louie Lenz: Louiejr@comcast.net

We welcome your comments and feedback on this blog. You can post here as well as share this with your friends via Facebook and Twitter (see easy links). If you want to email us any questions or comments: NickelRevolution@gmail.com

If you’ve been following the Nickel Revolution blog and looking at the pictures, this post is a reality check. Especially if you are going to the Nickel Revolution Reunion on September 1, 2012. You will need a photo guide to recognize the boys today.

Attention Musicians! We invite you to jam with us.

Bring your guitar, drum sticks, horn or hot vocals and we are providing a full backline of amps, etc. LET US KNOW so we can give you a songlist: Nickel Revolution Reunion

Please let us know which member of the band you are friends with or related to so we can note that on the guest list. If this is all new to you and you do not know someone in the band. Louie Lenz is selling VIP tickets at $5.

FOOD (Pizza) at the Reunion must be pre-ordered (otherwise it would be a staffing problem for Broadway). They are requesting a 2-week reservation for pre-ordering your pizza. So, by August 18, 2012, send an email to Louie and he will turn it in to Broadway. Email Louie for details: Louiejr@comcast.net

Very fitting to hold this event at Broadway Bar and Pizza in that Broadway Pizza was a Robbinsdale High School hangout back in the day, and unlike this band, they didn’t go out of business. The Fridley location is perfect in that they have a large dance hall with a separate entrance. Our event will not be advertised as we already have a large guest list and we want everyone attending to have a great time on the dance floor instead of standing in line and waiting for a turn on the toilet. Full bar available (not that anyone drinks in Minnesota, but if you feel like an adult beverage, you can purchase them YouBetcha!)

Special Guests

Joining The Nickel Revolution onstage will include some of our children and that will certainly be a special treat. Jordan Lenz (bass and guitar) is Jerry Lenz’s youngest son and he plays with Jerry in The Nickel Blues Band in Orlando,Florida.

Benjamin Jeffy (guitar) and Christopher Jeffy (bass) will be joining the band on stage and it promises to be a great time. We suggest you have an extra set of batteries for your camera, video, or a least charge your cell phone up before you arrive at the reunion.

Dinner before or during the reunion? You can pre-order pizza if you are arriving early. However, you MUST pre-order. Contact Louie Lenz: Louiejr@comcast.net

We welcome your comments and feedback on this blog. You can post here as well as share this with your friends via Facebook and Twitter (see easy links). If you want to email us any questions or comments: NickelRevolution@gmail.com

Scroll Down to see complete details on The Nickel Revolution’s Reunion on Saturday, September 1, 2012. Sharing a few random photos in this post (actually, just an easy way to get your attention and remind you of the reunion). Get on the list now! We are starting to max out the venue and we want to save a spot for you.

Make Plans Now for The Nickel Revolution’s Reunion, Saturday, September 1, 2012

The 1960s were an awesome time in the history of rock and roll. Four lads (I guess we can say lads in America) from the Robbinsdale,Minnesota area would begin a rock and roll band in the fall of 1964 and through a series of changes, become The Nickel Revolution.

The core always remained Louie Lenz (guitar), Scott Jeffy (bass) and Jerry Lenz (drums). The journey would last over six years, concluding early in 1970.

Attention Musicians! We invite you to jam with us.

Bring your guitar, drum sticks, horn or hot vocals and we are providing a full backline of amps, etc. LET US KNOW so we can give you a songlist: Nickel Revolution Reunion

Please let us know which member of the band you are friends with or related to so we can note that on the guest list. If this is all new to you and you do not know someone in the band. Louie Lenz is selling VIP tickets at $5.

FOOD (Pizza) at the Reunion must be pre-ordered (otherwise it would be a staffing problem for Broadway). They are requesting a 2-week reservation for pre-ordering your pizza. So, by August 18, 2012, send an email to Louie and he will turn it in to Broadway. Email Louie for details: Louiejr@comcast.net

Very fitting to hold this event at Broadway Bar and Pizza in that Broadway Pizza was a Robbinsdale High School hangout back in the day, and unlike this band, they didn’t go out of business. The Fridley location is perfect in that they have a large dance hall with a separate entrance. Our event will not be advertised as we already have a large guest list and we want everyone attending to have a great time on the dance floor instead of standing in line and waiting for a turn on the toilet. Full bar available (not that anyone drinks in Minnesota, but if you feel like an adult beverage, you can purchase them YouBetcha!)

Special Guests

Joining The Nickel Revolution onstage will include some of our children and that will certainly be a special treat. Jordan Lenz (bass and guitar) is Jerry Lenz’s youngest son and he plays with Jerry in The Nickel Blues Band in Orlando,Florida.

Benjamin Jeffy (guitar) and Christopher Jeffy (bass) will be joining the band on stage and it promises to be a great time. We suggest you have an extra set of batteries for your camera, video, or a least charge your cell phone up before you arrive at the reunion.

Dinner before or during the reunion? You can pre-order pizza if you are arriving early. However, you MUST pre-order. Contact Louie Lenz: Louiejr@comcast.net

We welcome your comments and feedback on this blog. You can post here as well as share this with your friends via Facebook and Twitter (see easy links). If you want to email us any questions or comments: NickelRevolution@gmail.com

When you review the history of many 60s rock bands, you will see how many came to a screaching halt in 1969-1970. The greatest factor being the Viet Nam war with many musicians being drafted. When the lottery was introduced in 1970, musicians with a low number (meaning you will be drafted) elected to enlist in the branch of service of their choice. Such was the case for Scott Jeffy of the Nickel Revolution. He decided to serve in the US Navy. That coupled with Jerry Lenz, now married and with the first child on the way, and the loss of Mickey Larson on keyboards and vocals, the Nickel’s core members, Louie, Scott and Jerry, decided it was time for the final chapter of The Nickel Revolution.

Here are a handful of photos from the last gig. It was a southern Minnesota college, that no one can remember the name of. We were actually anxious to finish as the fun had ended and now we were just playing out the contracts we were obligated to fulfill.

Make Plans Now for The Nickel Revolution’s Reunion, Saturday, September 1, 2012

The 1960s were an awesome time in the history of rock and roll. Four lads (I guess we can say lads in America) from the Robbinsdale,Minnesota area would begin a rock and roll band in the fall of 1964 and through a series of changes, become The Nickel Revolution.

The core always remained Louie Lenz (guitar), Scott Jeffy (bass) and Jerry Lenz (drums). The journey would last over six years, concluding early in 1970.

Attention Musicians! We invite you to jam with us.

Bring your guitar, drum sticks, horn or hot vocals and we are providing a full backline of amps, etc. LET US KNOW so we can give you a songlist: Nickel Revolution Reunion

Please let us know which member of the band you are friends with or related to so we can note that on the guest list. If this is all new to you and you do not know someone in the band. Louie Lenz is selling VIP tickets at $5.

FOOD (Pizza) at the Reunion must be pre-ordered (otherwise it would be a staffing problem for Broadway). They are requesting a 2-week reservation for pre-ordering your pizza. So, by August 18, 2012, send an email to Louie and he will turn it in to Broadway. Email Louie for details: Louiejr@comcast.net

Very fitting to hold this event at Broadway Bar and Pizza in that Broadway Pizza was a Robbinsdale High School hangout back in the day, and unlike this band, they didn’t go out of business. The Fridley location is perfect in that they have a large dance hall with a separate entrance. Our event will not be advertised as we already have a large guest list and we want everyone attending to have a great time on the dance floor instead of standing in line and waiting for a turn on the toilet. Full bar available (not that anyone drinks in Minnesota, but if you feel like an adult beverage, you can purchase them YouBetcha!)

Special Guests

Joining The Nickel Revolution onstage will include some of our children and that will certainly be a special treat. Jordan Lenz (bass and guitar) is Jerry Lenz’s youngest son and he plays with Jerry in The Nickel Blues Band in Orlando,Florida.

Benjamin Jeffy (guitar) and Christopher Jeffy (bass) will be joining the band on stage and it promises to be a great time. We suggest you have an extra set of batteries for your camera, video, or a least charge your cell phone up before you arrive at the reunion.

Dinner before or during the reunion? You can pre-order pizza if you are arriving early. However, you MUST pre-order. Contact Louie Lenz: Louiejr@comcast.net

We welcome your comments and feedback on this blog. You can post here as well as share this with your friends via Facebook and Twitter (see easy links). If you want to email us any questions or comments: NickelRevolution@gmail.com

The 1960s were an awesome time in the history of rock and roll. Four lads (I guess we can say lads in America) from the Robbinsdale,Minnesota area would begin a rock and roll band in the fall of 1964 and through a series of changes, become The Nickel Revolution.

The core always remained Louie Lenz (guitar), Scott Jeffy (bass) and Jerry Lenz (drums). The journey would last over six years, concluding early in 1970.

Attention Musicians! We invite you to jam with us.

Bring your guitar, drum sticks, horn or hot vocals and we are providing a full backline of amps, etc. LET US KNOW so we can give you a songlist: Nickel Revolution Reunion

Please let us know which member of the band you are friends with or related to so we can note that on the guest list. If this is all new to you and you do not know someone in the band. Louie Lenz is selling VIP tickets at $5.

FOOD (Pizza) at the Reunion must be pre-ordered (otherwise it would be a staffing problem for Broadway). They are requesting a 2-week reservation for pre-ordering your pizza. So, by August 18, 2012, send an email to Louie and he will turn it in to Broadway. Email Louie for details: Louiejr@comcast.net

Very fitting to hold this event at Broadway Bar and Pizza in that Broadway Pizza was a Robbinsdale High School hangout back in the day, and unlike this band, they didn’t go out of business. The Fridley location is perfect in that they have a large dance hall with a separate entrance. Our event will not be advertised as we already have a large guest list and we want everyone attending to have a great time on the dance floor instead of standing in line and waiting for a turn on the toilet. Full bar available (not that anyone drinks in Minnesota, but if you feel like an adult beverage, you can purchase them YouBetcha!)

Special Guests

Joining The Nickel Revolution onstage will include some of our children and that will certainly be a special treat. Jordan Lenz (bass and guitar) is Jerry Lenz’s youngest son and he plays with Jerry in The Nickel Blues Band in Orlando,Florida.

Benjamin Jeffy (guitar) and Christopher Jeffy (bass) will be joining the band on stage and it promises to be a great time. We suggest you have an extra set of batteries for your camera, video, or a least charge your cell phone up before you arrive at the reunion.

Dinner before or during the reunion? You can pre-order pizza if you are arriving early. However, you MUST pre-order. Contact Louie Lenz: Louiejr@comcast.net

We welcome your comments and feedback on this blog. You can post here as well as share this with your friends via Facebook and Twitter (see easy links). If you want to email us any questions or comments: NickelRevolution@gmail.com